Admit rate has ranged 47%–58% over the last 5 years — notably volatile, though the latest figure above (60%) falls outside that window. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, is a private Christian institution where a robust liberal arts core meets a distinctly practical, career-oriented curriculum. The campus culture is defined by its evangelical faith commitment—evident in required chapel and a dense network of student ministries—and a surprisingly comfortable residential life where every student gets a private bedroom. It’s a place for students who want their professional preparation in nursing, business, or education wrapped in a tight-knit, faith-based community.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,607
In-state tuition
$40,025
Out-of-state tuition
$40,025
Graduation Rate
66%
First-Year Retention
89%
Demonstrated Interest
Not considered
Median Earnings (10yr)
$53,990
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$53,990
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.0×
Median debt at graduation
$20,714
Graduation rate
66%
First-year retention
89%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
66%
Pell (lower-income) share
25%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
33%
Financial health
2.6 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$58,673
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$44,590
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$37,424
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$35,060
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$34,793
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
90
Summer high
89°F
Winter low
36°F
Annual rain
54.8"
Annual snow
4.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
130
Scholarly works
2,761
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
2.0%
Bottom → top quintile
26%
From bottom quintile
8%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Union University?
Union University's acceptance rate is approximately 60% (Jackson, TN), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Union University?
Admitted students at Union University typically score 1160–1390 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Union University cost?
At Union University, the average net price (after aid) is about $27,171 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Union University?
Union University enrolls approximately 1,607 undergraduate students.
Where is Union University located?
Union University is located in Jackson, TN.
Admissions
Union University operates with a moderately selective admissions process, admitting about 60% of its applicants. The middle 50% of admitted students who submit test scores typically present an SAT range of 1160–1390 or an ACT composite between 22 and 30. While the university considers a range of factors, it's important to note that demonstrated interest is not considered in admissions decisions, as indicated by Section C7 data from many institutions. The university has offered an early action option, and historically, a significant portion of the incoming class—upwards of 38% in one recent year—has been admitted through early decision pathways, which often carry higher than regular decision pools.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Social Work$29,956
Business Administration, Management and Operations$28,960
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$28,598
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Union's academic offerings are expansive, with over 100 undergraduate, adult undergraduate, graduate, and online programs. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts but is heavily slanted toward professional preparation. The university offers 17 distinct undergraduate degrees, including Associate and Bachelor's pathways. The most popular majors cluster in health professions (notably nursing), business, management, marketing, and education, reflecting a student body focused on direct career pathways. This practical focus is framed within the university's mission to prepare students for 'a life of purpose, integrity, and service,' suggesting an integration of vocational training with ethical and philosophical underpinnings.
Life at Union orbits around its Christian identity and a highly structured campus community. With more than 90 student organizations, involvement is encouraged, and options include three national fraternities and three national sororities. A defining feature is the residential experience: the university guarantees a private bedroom for every resident student, a notable perk that elevates campus comfort. The rhythm of campus life is intentionally shaped by 'chapel, friendship, and involvement,' as stated by the Division of Student Life, which aims to foster the integration of faith and daily living. This creates an environment where shared faith and meaningful relationships are central, supported by a wide array of student-led ministries and engagement opportunities.
Union University demonstrates solid student outcomes, beginning with a strong first-year retention rate of 89%. The graduation rate for first-time, full-time students has averaged 69% over a recent five-year period, with individual reported rates ranging from 60% to 71%. These figures place Union's graduation performance above many national averages. For alumni, the median earnings ten years after entry are $53,990. Data also shows a median salary of $45,505 six years after graduation, indicating steady growth in earning potential as alumni progress in their careers, particularly in the health, business, and education fields for which the university is known.
The comprehensive at Union is significant, but the university works to offset it through financial aid. The average after aid and scholarships is $27,171. A substantial majority of students—72.43%—receive financial aid, with the average aid package totaling $35,969. Aid comes in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment for those who qualify. The university provides a Net Price Calculator to help families estimate their potential aid. It's important to note that while Union offers robust aid, the sources do not specify a policy of meeting 100% of demonstrated need or employing a no-loan policy for low-income students; families should consult directly with the financial aid office for the most current policy details.
Union University carves out a distinctive niche by unapologetically merging a conservative Christian worldview with a pragmatic, career-focused education. It's not a place for abstract exploration alone; it's for the student who wants to become a nurse, a teacher, or a business leader within a community that explicitly shares their faith. The campus infrastructure supports this focused life, most famously with the guarantee of a private bedroom—a tangible commitment to student comfort that is rare in higher education. The result is an insulated, intentional environment where spiritual formation and professional preparation are not parallel tracks but are woven together through chapel, coursework, and countless student organizations. For a certain student, this integration is the entire point, making Union not just a college but a holistic, four-year experience geared toward a specific kind of life and career.
Union University seal · sourceMain Campus in Jackson - Union University · sourceA plan, a campus, a legacy | Union College · sourceUnion pictures: Our scenic campus | Union College · source
